20120105-OC-AMW-0480
Beef sold at Wegman’s Supermarket in Fredericksburg, Virginia on September 1, 2009 displays the required Country of Origin Label (COOL). COOL is a labeling law that requires retailer, such as full-line grocery stores, supermarkets, and club warehouse stores to notify their customers with information regarding the source of certain foods. Food products and covered commodities contained in the law include muscle cut and ground meats of beef, veal, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; peanuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts; and ginseng. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for the administration and enforcement of COOL. USDA photo by Bob Nichols.